THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE

From our readers

Letter to Editor:

Does it pay to save electricity? If the WPS gets their proposed changes for 2015 it definitely will not. According to the information provided in the handout, Important Information About Your Rates, which was included in the June billing, WPS is proposing an 8% overall increase in retail electric rates. An illustration shows a monthly increase of $7.52 or 9.6% increase based upon 600 monthly kilowatt hours.

The annual impact is listed as $90. However, a closer look reveals a significant change that will impact low energy users. It is the increase of the fixed fee from $10.40 per month to $25 per month. The fixed fee covers costs such as meters, poles, transformers, and even the cost of billing. In order to lessen the impact of the fixed charge the volumetric rate will decrease. That is the amount you pay per kilowatt hour of use. The 2014 residential rate is $0.11143. The proposed 2015 rate would be $0.10165.

Now lets look at the impact upon low energy users. If you use 300 kilowatt hours per month the cost of electricity for one month in 2014 is $33.43 and the fixed rate is $10.40 for a net cost of $43.83 excluding the 3% Wisconsin Low Income Assistance Fee and the 5.5% sales tax. The cost of electricity for 300 kilowatt hours per month as proposed for 2015 would be $30.50 and the new fixed rate would be $25 for a total cost of $55.50 per month. That is a difference of $11.67 a month or a 26.6% increase. The annual impact would be $140.04.

Compare that to the illustrated 600 kilowatt hours proposed rate change with a 9.6% increase and annual impact of $90. It clearly does not pay to conserve electric use. WPS claims the proposed rates better reflect actual costs to serve customers. I say it discourages wise energy use and penalizes those who attempt to lower energy costs. Those concerned may contact the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin online. The Commission will also hold public hearings in Madison on Sept. 10.

Kenneth Jones,

Amberg

Editor:

I read with dismay Scott Walkers remarks about his failed campaign promise to generate 250,000 new jobs in Wisconsin during his term as governor. Now, having created less than half of the promised jobs, Walker says, Oh, never mind, the voters dont care!

Well, I care, and so should all Wisconsin voters. I believe politicians should be held to their promises. Wisconsin is 9th out of 10 Midwestern states in job creation, and 35th among all states. The great recession knocked us on our back, but all of our neighboring states but one have recovered, and then some.

Walkers leadership has left our state polarized and, with each month, falling farther behind. Mary Burke offers a change. She has a smart, detailed plan to turn our economy around. Its based on whats worked elsewhere, not ideology. Im supporting Mary Burke. Shes a proven business leader who stands for our values of hard work, community and putting people over politics.